TENNIS THREAD - The clay season is in full swing, and it's onwards to Roland Garros!

[Raahh]

Shiny new thread.

Hopefully we will see some players return from injury in the next few weeks.

Munich/Istanbul in play this week amongst other tournaments.

Madrid week beginning the 7th (hopefully with Delpo playing)

For once I agree with the commentators that Djokovic just looks very lack lustre, like he doesn't really want to be there.
The crowd definitely aren't helping him though, I think maybe it's just that he used of try just a bit too hard with them it came across as disingenuous.

Ooh- clouds over Paris. I don't want storms before Rafa is due to play- that won't be good for him. Even if he's playing someone he should be able to beat easily.

Oh no rafa doesn't need any rain delays

lady true- I never liked his playing to the crowd thing. I'm not fan- but I do think he tries very hard to be loved. And it never quite works.

No, Rafa doesn't like it damp.

So to speak.

Well, as they've just said on Eurosport, Novak is not going to win playing like that.

But he will probably feel better for having got through the first round.

Very pleased to see that Trungelliti's car journey didn't have too much of an effect and he's through to the second round. What a lovely story. (And all the better, because he took Kyrgios' place).

Raahh I love Trungellitti's story too! How he brought his grandma with him?! His press conference was the fullest so far apparently! Haven't actually seen any tennis yet this RG (on hols atm and people keep wanting to go out and do things not sit inside an watch tennis, for some reason!) - just keeping up on here/Twitter.

Private I am trying not to feel guilty that I have been sat here all day.

I'm finally - for the first time in about 2 years , getting to see some of a Ferrer match! He's been taken to 5 sets by Munar, and is serving for the match (though Munar looks dangerously close to breaking). I like watching Ferrer.

I'm getting a bit numb.

I like Ferrer too Raahh. He gets a rough time in the press I think for being "boring" and now early dropped down the rankings, I guess he's not on TV as much. We saw him play Dolgopolov at Wimbledon a few years back, it was such a great match with Dolgo flair Vs Ferrer defence! But probably not one that would ever have been given a prime time TV slot, sadly.

Private I love how he grafts - he's like a dog with a bone.

Munar is serving for the match now though. Granted, he's a pretty nifty player too, having been junior doubles champion, and runner up to Rublev a few years back.

Oh, shame.

Rafa next!

Ok so I’m back from the obligatory bank holiday visit to the garden centre - just in time to see Rafa.

Managed to watch some of Stan’s match earlier - it’s a shame that he lost. I thought he looked quite smart for a change - an improvement on the beach hobo look from the last few years.

I’m also pleased that Trungelliti won his match - especially against tomic. The picture of his mum and his nan in the back of the car was so sweet

Here we go

Phew! Right- now can you please win the next sets a bit more easily?

And what?? NO I do not want to watch Heather Watson. Sorry Heather.

Looks like I'm going back to Eurosport.

NOOOOOO! Quick - is there any way of staying with the Rafa match if I don't have Eurosport?

I can't believe it! Been out all day, got back in time to see Rafa - and I get one set before they go to bloody Heather! When we could be watching the king of clay on clay

I thought I'd be flash and put Spanish TV on to carry on watching Rafa.
They are showing golf!!! Not helpful at all.

Though on a different channel , local Mallorca one, they are celebrating Mallorca football club being promoted from division 3 to 2, ( the match was yesterday) and as dh is a fan I'm leaving it on for him, I'll just keep sneaking back to itv 4 occasionally. It's really annoying not having a red button match choosing option.

TheOnly they have been messing with the schedule on ITV all day. More annoyingly, they keep showing matches that have already finished and the scores are readily available.

Bolelli has just broken Rafa in the second set. I blame ITV4 for making me change channel.

I am just going to have to follow the scores online. And this Watson match is not really in the same league. It really irritates me that they assume we want to watch British players no matter what.

It's bloody raining!

Typical.

Right. come on Rafa, break back before they decide you have to go off.

Bolelli still with the break.

Not panicking yet.

Simone is playing very well- he has clearly come out and decided to just throw everything at Rafa, and in this set, it's working. Rafa needs to hold this serve though.